Jump to FAQs for the Hodder Fellowship
The Lewis Center is committed to fostering an academic environment that acknowledges and encourages diversity and differences. The successful candidate will pursue academic excellence in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings.
The next application cycle will open on July 1, 2024, with a mid-September deadline.
Princeton Arts Fellowship
Application Information
Who is eligible?
The Princeton Arts Fellowship, funded in part by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, will be awarded to artists whose achievements have been recognized as demonstrating extraordinary promise in any area of artistic practice and teaching. Applicants should be early career visual artists, filmmakers, poets, novelists, playwrights, designers, directors, and performance artists who would find it beneficial to spend two years teaching and working in an artistically vibrant university community. The department is committed to fostering an academic environment that acknowledges and encourages diversity and differences.
We are only accepting submissions for the Programs in Creative Writing, Theater, and Visual Arts for this Princeton Arts Fellowship application cycle.
Non-US citizens are welcome to apply. There is no age limit to apply. Those who hold a Ph.D. degree from Princeton University are not eligible. This fellowship cannot be used to fund work leading to an MFA, Ph.D., or any other advanced degree.
Princeton Arts Fellows may not hold concurrent teaching positions at other institutions for the duration of the fellowship.
What is the next application deadline?
The next application cycle will open on July 1, 2024, with a mid-September deadline.
What are the steps in submitting a Princeton Arts Fellowship application?
Please submit the online application and supporting documentation through AHIRE. Supporting documentation:
- A curriculum vitae
- A 750-word proposal that includes:
- How you propose to use the 2 years of the fellowship to develop your work (250 words)
- What you might teach, direct, or choreograph with undergraduates as part of your fellowship (250 words)
- How you have encouraged diversity and inclusion in your artistic practice, teaching, and/or research (250 words)
[Find more information below for examples of Diversity and Inclusion in Artistic Practice, Teaching, and/or Research.]
- Contact information for 3 references (Please do not ask recommenders to send letters; the search committee will contact relevant recommenders directly, if needed.)
- Work samples accompanied by a 150-word statement on how they relate to your proposal
- Creative Writing: Prose samples are limited to 3000 words. If you are a poet, submit up to 20 pages of poetry. If both a prose writer and poet, submit up to 2,000 words (prose) and up to 8-10 pages (poetry).
- Visual Arts: Up to 20 still images or up to 10 still images and 5 minutes of video. Video can represent one work or excerpts. Submit works in a PDF via link to a sufficient online video format. Provide access passwords if necessary.
- Theater: 10-15 page writing sample; 15-20 design images (photos or renderings); or video/audio reel with cue points. Links to professional websites or web archives are welcome.
How do I determine which program (Creative Writing, Theater or Visual Arts) should review my application?
Consider which program would be a good fit for your work and in which program you would like to teach. We understand that many artists’ work is inter- or multi-disciplinary; nonetheless, you can only choose one program to review your application.
Please select the area of interest that best represents your work. All members of the program’s Fellowship committee review all applications regardless of area of interest.
Do my published works have to be in English?
No, published works need not be in English. However, the fellowship application, supporting documentation, and sample works must be in English. Sample works can be submitted in both English and the original language.
Is there a limit to how many times an applicant may apply for the Princeton Arts Fellowship?
Yes. Applicants may apply for the Princeton Arts Fellowship twice in a lifetime.
May I apply to both the Hodder Fellowship and the Arts Fellowship at the same time?
Yes.
What’s the difference between the Hodder and the Princeton Arts Fellowship?
The Hodder is a one-year fellowship of financial support. The Princeton Arts Fellowship is a two-year fellowship that includes teaching one course or leading a project with Princeton students each semester.
Do I need immigration sponsorship for work authorization?
Immigration sponsorship includes visa sponsorship to work in the U.S. Work authorization is required for the Princeton Arts Fellowship, as this is a paid appointment. Princeton-based visa sponsorship and work authorization will be pursued for finalists and Fellows as needed, contingent on the individual’s eligibility.
Princeton Arts Fellowship Details
What is the length of the Fellowship?
Two consecutive 10-month academic years.
How much is the fellow awarded?
$90,000 a year. Fellows are additionally funded $5,000 (per academic year) for research expenses and $2,000 (per academic year) for classroom expenses.
Is a Princeton Arts Fellow expected to teach?
Yes. The normal work assignment is to teach one course each semester or take on an artistic assignment in lieu of a class, such as directing a play or choreographing a dance with Princeton students. Although the teaching load is light, we expect that Fellows will be full and active members of our community, committed to frequent and engaged interactions with students during the academic year.
Do I need to reside on the Princeton University campus if awarded the Fellowship?
While Fellows need not reside in Princeton, they will be required to spend a significant part of the week on campus.
Do Fellows have access to offices and studios on campus?
Fellows have access to shared spaces on campus for the duration of their fellowship.
Can the Fellowship be used to fund work leading to an MFA or Ph.D. or any other advanced degree?
No.
Can Princeton Arts Fellows work at other institutions while holding this appointment at Princeton?
Princeton Arts Fellows can do one-off events, such as giving lectures, readings, or talks, performing in a show, presenting a film screening, or teaching master classes or workshops. Princeton Arts Fellows cannot teach a semester-long class at another institution while holding this appointment at Princeton.
After Applying
After I apply, what are my next steps?
If you are invited to the next stage of the process, you will be contacted by mid-November to schedule an in-person interview. Interviews are expected to take place the week of December 11, 2023. All award decisions will be announced during the academic spring semester.
If I receive a decision indicating that my application has been declined, can I apply again?
Yes. Applicants may only apply for the Princeton Arts Fellowship twice in a lifetime.
Can the selection committee provide feedback on my application?
Unfortunately, the selection committee is unable to provide any feedback on applications.
Examples of Diversity and Inclusion in Artistic Practice, Teaching, and/or Research
As you think about your experiences with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), these questions might guide your thinking (though your examples need not be limited to these questions nor do you have to answer these questions in your response):
- How have you created or participated in programs that provide access for groups traditionally underrepresented in your artistic field or who have faced barriers entering your field?
- How have you enhanced students’ learning experiences in the classroom, studio, or rehearsal room by exposing them to new perspectives on cultures, beliefs, or practices?
- How does your teaching or artwork address barriers to some students’ full participation?
- How does your artwork, research, scholarship, or other creative activity contribute to understanding the experiences of marginalized groups?
- In what ways have you offered artistic, learning, or research opportunities for individuals historically excluded on the basis of their background (demographic, socio-economic status, ability, etc.) from your art field?
- How have you mentored or advised students and/or colleagues to enhance opportunities for underrepresented people to succeed in your art world?
- In what ways have you committed to public engagement with organizations or community groups that serve marginalized populations or extend opportunity to disadvantaged people?
Examples from Princeton’s campus
- How to Be Your Own Disability Advocate by Maysoon Zayid
- The Work of Several Lifetimes by Mario Moore
- Black Poetry: A Conference
- The Princeton & Slavery Project
- McCarter Theater Center and The Princeton and Slavery Plays
- Reactivating Memory: Shuffle Along and the Tulsa Race Massacre: A Centennial Symposium
- Latinx Theatre Commons’ Maria Irene Fornés Institute Symposium
- Kyle Abraham, Guest choreographer and speaker
- Trenton Arts at Princeton
- Princeton ‘Magic’ Concert—The Harlem Renaissance
Please also review these references:
- Lewis Center for the Arts’ Climate & Inclusion Statement of Purpose, Principles, and Practices
- Music Department’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement of Purpose and Values
- Princeton University Office of Diversity and Inclusion
- Princeton’s Commitment to Diversity
Hodder Fellowship
Application Information
Who is eligible?
The Hodder Fellowship will be awarded to writers and non-literary artists of exceptional promise who wish to pursue independent projects at Princeton University during the academic year. Potential Hodder Fellows are composers, choreographers, performance artists, visual artists, writers, translators or other kinds of artists or humanists who have “much more than ordinary intellectual and literary gifts”; they are selected more “for promise than for performance.” Given the strength of the applicant pool, most successful Fellows have published a first book or have similar achievements in their own fields. The Hodder is designed to provide Fellows with a year of “studious leisure” to undertake significant new work.
Advanced degrees are not required. Non-US citizens are welcome to apply. There is no age limit to apply. This fellowship cannot be used to fund work leading to an MFA, Ph.D. or any other advanced degree.
Hodder Fellows may not hold concurrent teaching positions at other institutions for the duration of the fellowship.
What is the next application deadline?
The next application cycle will open on July 1, 2024, with a mid-September deadline.
What are the steps in submitting a Hodder Fellowship application?
Please submit the online application and supporting documentation through AHIRE. Supporting documentation includes:
- A resume
- 500-word project proposal in which you describe your artistic project and what you plan to do during the fellowship’s 10-month appointment
- Work samples accompanied by a 150-word statement on how they relate to your proposal
- Creative Writing: Prose samples are limited to 3000 words. If you are a poet, submit up to 20 pages of poetry. If both a prose writer and poet, submit up to 2,000 words (prose) and up to 8-10 pages (poetry).
- Visual Arts: Up to 20 still images or up to 10 still images and 5 minutes of video. Video can represent one work or excerpts. Submit works in a PDF via link to a sufficient online video format. Provide access passwords if necessary.
- Dance: 1 to 3 links to complete works with cue points. Links can be rehearsals, research or performances, but must be continuous footage. Do not send trailers, photographs or promotional materials.
- Theater: 10-15 page writing sample; 15-20 design images (photos or renderings); or video/audio reel with cue points. Links to professional websites or web archives are welcome.
- Music: Include 1-2 scores and/or links to examples of performance (10 minutes total) on sites such as YouTube, Vimeo, Flicker, etc.
Please note the application will allow you to add one URL link in addition to links provided under project proposal or portfolio.
NOTE: The Hodder Application requires that you upload contact information for three recommenders. Please fill this section out but note that those recommenders will most likely not be contacted since this is not a requirement for the fellowship application process.
How do I determine which program (Creative Writing, Music, Theater, Visual Arts, or Dance) should review my application?
Consider which program would be a good fit for your work. We understand that many artists’ work is inter- or multi-disciplinary; nonetheless, you can only choose one program to review your application.
Please select the area of interest that best represents your work. All members of the program’s Fellowship committee review all applications regardless of area of interest.
Do my published works have to be in English?
No, published works need not be in English. However, the Fellowship application, supporting documentation, and sample works must be in English. Sample works can be submitted in both English and the original language.
Can I apply to both the Hodder Fellowship and the Arts Fellowship at the same time?
Yes.
What’s the difference between the Hodder and the Princeton Arts Fellows?
The Hodder Fellowship is a one-year fellowship of financial support. The Princeton Arts Fellowship is a two-year fellowship that includes teaching one course or leading a project each semester.
Do I need immigration sponsorship for work authorization?
Immigration sponsorship includes visa sponsorship to work in the U.S. Work authorization is required for the Hodder Fellowship, as this is a paid appointment. Princeton-based visa sponsorship and work authorization will be pursued for Fellows as needed, contingent on the individual’s eligibility.
Hodder Fellowship Details
What is the length of the Fellowship?
One 10-month academic year.
How much is the fellow awarded?
$90,000 for one 10-month academic year. Fellows are additionally funded $5,000 for research expenses.
Can the Fellow be awarded through their home institution?
Yes.
(When employing local residents in countries outside the United States, payment would need to be made either through a local partner or a professional employer organization (PEO) to comply with local labor laws.)
Is a Hodder Fellow expected to teach?
No teaching is involved.
Do I need to reside on or near the Princeton University campus if awarded the Fellowship?
No.
Must a Hodder Fellow be based in the U.S. during the fellowship?
No. A Fellow may conduct their work anywhere in the world.
Do Fellows have access to offices and studios on campus?
Fellows have access to shared spaces on campus for the duration of their fellowship.
Can the Fellowship be used to fund work leading to an MFA, Ph.D. or any other advanced degree?
No.
Is there a limit to how many times an applicant may apply for the Hodder Fellowship?
No. Applicants may apply for the Hodder Fellowship in each new application cycle.
After Applying
After I apply, what are my next steps?
All applicants will be notified by the end of November regarding the status of their application. All award decisions will be announced during the academic Spring semester.
If I receive a decision indicating that my application has been declined, can I apply again?
Yes. Unfortunately, the selection committee is unable to provide any feedback on declined applications.
Questions or Technical issues
With more questions that are not answered here, or if you encounter technical issues, please email lca-fellowships@princeton.edu.